WF #1 2017_webb

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Nordic brands saved almost 7 billion litres of water
H&M, IKEA, Filippa K and 20 other
Nordic brands saved more than 6.7
billion litres of water, or the daily water
supply 1 for134 million people, in less
than seven years. Under the guidance
of the Sweden Textile Water Initiative
(STWI), a programme driving global
change towards sustainable textile and
leather production, the factories have
reduced water consumption and pollution
while also improving their profits. Since
joining the programme, participating
factories have seen a return on investment
of more than 240 percent over three years.
“We would not have been able to
accomplish these amazing results on
our own. Much of our success is due to
the motivation of our suppliers and the
support of STWI,” said Elin Larsson,
Sustainability Director for Filippa K.
STWI started as a pilot project in 2010,
and has been fully operational since
2013. In 2016, the initiative expanded
from 72 to 119 factories in India, China,
Bangladesh, Turkey and Ethiopia. In
2017, STWI plans to expand to Hong
Kong, Myanmar, Pakistan, Indonesia,
Cambodia and Vietnam.
“STWI is a model for the entire manufacturing
industry. By working closely
with partners and their suppliers we
have demonstrated that environmental
sustainability is good business,” said
Rami Abdel Rahman, STWI programme
manager.
“We are trying to encourage improvements
that save water and energy and
reduce the use of chemicals in all components
of the production chain. This
project shows that these goals can be
achieved, even with increased profitability.
We hope the market can learn
from these positive experiences,” said
Mats Åberg, programme manager with
the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida).
1 Based on UN’s Human Right to Water of 50 L per
person per day
6,7 billion
Read more on www.stwi.se
Litres of water saved by some 20 Nordic brands in more than 100
textile factories in India, China, Bangladesh, Turkey and Ethiopia over
a seven-year period. 6.7 billion litres equals the daily water supply of
134 million people (Source: Sweden Textile Water Initiative, STWI)
New Zealand river gains
personhood after more than
a century-long fighT
After a 140-year battle, a Maori tribe in
New Zealand secured legal rights for
Te Awa Tupua River, which they view as
an ancestor.
“We have fought to find an approximation
in law so that all others can
understand that from our perspective,
treating the river as a living entity is the
correct way to approach it, as in indivisible
whole, instead of the traditional model
for the last 100 years of treating it from a
perspective of ownership and management,”
Gerrard Albert, negotiator for the
Whanganui tribe, told the Guardian.
Since March 15, the Te Awa Tupua
River has the same rights as a human
being, and harming Te Awa Tupua River
is tantamount to harming the tribe.
The new law reflects the Whanganui
tribe’s worldview and could set a precedent
for other Maori tribes, said Albert.
Stephen McCaffrey awarded 2017 Stockholm Water Prize
Professor Stephen Mc­
Caffrey, USA, has been
named 2017 Stockholm
Water Prize Laureate for
his unparalleled contribution
to the evolution and
progressive realization of international
water law.
Stephen McCaffrey is a Distinguished
Professor of Law at the University of
the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, in
Sacramento, California. His work has
influenced scholars, legal practitioners
and policy-makers and contributes to
the sustainable and peaceful management
of shared waters.
In its citation, the Stockholm Water
Prize Nominating Committee recognized
Professor McCaffrey’s “path-breaking
leadership and legal scholarship in
international water law. He has made a
unique contribution in three specific
areas: his seminal work on Treaty negotiation;
his major scholarly works, including
his book The Law of International Watercourses
and; his leadership providing
expert legal advice, wise counsel, training
and facilitation of complex negotiations
with a wide range of stakeholders.”
Professor McCaffrey has been acting as
legal counsel to states in several negotiations
concerning international watercourses,
for example between Argentina
and Uruguay, Pakistan and India, and
Slovakia and Hungary.
“I believe nobody who studies,
researches or practises in the field of
transboundary water management, water
law or diplomacy could be unaware of
Professor McCaffrey’s contribution to
the conceptual and practical elaboration
of the many legal concepts and principles
that we now take for granted,”
says SIWI’s Executive Director Torgny
Holmgren.
Read more in the interview with
Professor McCaffrey on page 12
WATERFRONT # 1 | may 2017
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